Looks like we have some clarifications about what's happening to pledges with the upcoming changes.

https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/1/thread/updates-to-game-access-faq

::: spoiler Tap for entire post message by BigTO-CIG

Updates to Game Access - FAQ

Hey y'all,

We recently posted about a new Game Library system in the Updates to Pledge Gifting and Game Access, and understandably, many of you had follow-up questions. We’ve rounded up the most common ones below, clarified a few points, and outlined some changes we’ve made thanks to your feedback.

When does this take effect?

October 1st, 2026. That is the official date. If you have seen October 8th quoted anywhere, it is from a superseded version of the announcement and is not correct.

From October 1st, one pledge per game on your account will automatically be marked as protected. You'll then have until November 1st, 2026, to change which pledge is protected, giving you more control over the selection.

Which pledges on my account will be protected?

To make sure you can never accidentally melt or gift away a game you own, one pledge on your account is designated as the protected Game Access pledge for each game you own: Star Citizen and Squadron 42. A protected pledge cannot be melted or gifted. That is the only change. It stays in your Hangar, and you keep everything in it.

Up to two pledges may be protected, one per game. If a single pledge grants both games, that one pledge protects both. We always protect as few pledges as possible.

The protected pledge is chosen automatically for each game:

• If you have a pledge granting that game, which already cannot be melted, such as a High Admiral VIP reward, that pledge is protected. Nothing changes for you.
• Otherwise, your oldest pledge granting that game is protected.

Every other pledge remains exactly as meltable and giftable as it is today. The protected pledge will be clearly marked in your Hangar so you can see which pledge is protected and why.

Can I choose which pledge is protected?

Yes. While we initially planned for the system to automatically protect the pledge we felt most backers would prefer, many of you told us you would rather make that choice yourselves. Thanks to your feedback, you’ll be able to change which pledge is protected between October 1st and November 1st, 2026.

• You may move protection to any other pledge on your account that grants the same game. Protection is selected per game, so if one pledge currently protects both Star Citizen and Squadron 42, you can move protection for one game to a different pledge and keep the other where it is.
• Any pledge granting the game can be selected, including one you buy back or purchase during the window.
• The automatically selected pledge is locked from October 1st. It stays locked until you move protection to another pledge. At that moment the new pledge becomes protected and the previous one returns to being meltable and giftable.
• You can change your selection as many times as you like during the window.
• You make the change from the My Gear page in your Hangar. We will not send a separate reminder before November 1st, so make your choice during the window.
• On November 1st, the selection is final and cannot be changed.
• A pledge that already cannot be melted or gifted, such as a VIP reward, stays un-meltable regardless. You can still move Game Access protection off it, but there is no advantage in doing so.

I'm a Concierge VIP. Will my oldest game package be locked?

VIP status by itself does not grant game access. The High Admiral VIP reward in your Hangar does. Since March 18th, 2022 that reward includes Star Citizen, and backers who held Squadron 42 before that date also have it in their reward. The reward already cannot be melted or gifted.

Because we always protect an unmeltable pledge first, your VIP reward automatically becomes the protected pledge for any game it includes. Your purchased packages keep their normal melt and gift options.

For a game your VIP reward does not include, the standard rule applies to that game only.

You can still move protection to one of your purchased packages during the window, but there is no advantage in doing so. Your VIP reward can never be melted or gifted anyway, so moving protection only locks a package that would otherwise stay meltable and giftable.

I no longer own a game package. Do I need to buy one before this goes live?

No, provided you still have game access on October 1st, 2026. Your protection is created from whatever grants your access at that moment, including VIP rewards and backer rewards.

One important note: until October 1st, the current rules apply. If you melt or gift the only pledge granting you a game before then, you lose access exactly as you would today. If a pledge is your only source of game access, hold on to it until the protection is in place.

I gifted a pledge that was never claimed. Could it become my protected pledge?

Only if it is your sole source for a game. An unclaimed gift stays in your Hangar and still counts as your game access. We always prefer a pledge you own outright. If a pending gift pledge is the only pledge granting that game, we first cancel the pending gift so it can no longer be claimed, then protect it. If you have another pledge granting that game, we protect that one, and your pending gift stays claimable.

Does a pledge I restore through Buy Back keep its original date?

No. A restored pledge takes the date it was restored, so automatic selection treats it as your newest pledge. Buying back an old starter pack will not cause it to absorb the lock automatically. That said, you can still select the pledge you want to lock. During the change window, you may manually choose a restored pledge as your protected pledge.

Can I still upgrade my protected pledge?

Yes. A protected pledge can be upgraded with CCUs exactly as today. It stays protected, and its contents stay yours.

Do referral rewards, giveaway packs, or subscriber rewards count?

Yes, if they include game access. If such a pledge is the oldest one granting a game, it may be selected. If it is not the one you want protected, you can change the selection during the window. :::